Bench jig for skis

ABSTRACT

A table- or bench-type clamp including laterally spaced pairs of longitudinally aligned and spaced upstanding abutment flanges each having associated therewith an opposing laterally shiftable flange. A pair of skis are positionable on the remote sides of the pairs of abutment flanges between the latter and the corresponding laterally shiftable flanges. The laterally shiftable flanges have actuating structure operatively associated therewith for simultaneously shifting those flanges toward and away from the abutment flanges whereby the opposite side marginal edge portions of each of the associated skis may be clamped between the corresponding pairs of abutment flanges and the opposing laterally shiftable flanges. A centering structure is provided for properly longitudinally shifting the associated skis to positions with their longitudinal centers in predetermined position spaced between the pairs of longitudinally spaced abutment flanges and associated laterally shiftable flanges and in this manner proper indexing and rigid stationary support of an associated pair of skis is afforded in order that bindings may be properly anchored in exact corresponding positions on each pair of skis supported from the clamp assembly.

United States Patent Ladd [ Feb. 15, 1972 [54] BENCH JIG FOR SKIS [72]Inventor: Blaine K. Ladd, R.F.D. #1, Waterville,

Maine 04901 [22] Filed: Oct. 5,1970

[21] Appl.No.: 78,098

[56] References Cited UNITED STATES PATENTS 2,648,896 8/1953 Krumm..269/45 3 ,403,900 10/ 1 968 Turro t ..269/ 37 3,489,122 l/1970Schweizer ..280/1 1.35 R

Primary Examiner-Wayne A. Morse, Jr. Attomey-Clarence A. O'Brien andHarvey B. Jacobson ABSTRACT A tableor bench-type clamp includinglaterally spaced pairs of longitudinally aligned and spaced upstandingabutment flanges each having associated therewith an opposing laterallyshiftable flange. A pair of skis are positionable on the remote sides ofthe pairs of abutment flanges between the latter and the correspondinglaterally shiftable flanges. The laterally shiftable flanges haveactuating structure operatively associated therewith for simultaneouslyshifting those flanges toward and away from the abutment flanges wherebythe opposite side marginal edge portions of each of the associated skismay be clamped between the corresponding pairs of abutment flanges andthe opposing laterally shiftable flanges. A centering structure isprovided for properly longitudinally shifting the associated skis topositions with their longitudinal centers in predetermined positionspaced between the pairs of longitudinally spaced abutment flanges andassociated laterally shiftable flanges and in this manner properindexing and rigid stationary support of an associated pair of skis isafforded in order that bindings may be properly anchored in exactcorresponding positions on each pair of skis supported from the clampassembly.

12 Claims, 6 Drawing Figures PNENIED E I972 SHEET 1 BF 2 Elaine K. L addBY and Wave; m

PAFENIEMB 1% I972 3.642.269

sum 2 OF 2 lama K. Ladd BENCH JIG FOR SKIS The bench or table jig of theinstant invention has been specifically designed whereby a pair of skisto have bindings secured thereto may be precisely positioned inside-by-side parallel relation in a manner such that a pair of bindingsmay be readily secured in exact corresponding positions on the skissupported from the clamp assembly. The clamp assembly of the bench jighas further been designed for support from a workbench or table andincludes actuating means adapted to be operated by the foot of a personstanding adjacent the worktable or bench.

The main object of this invention is to provide an adjustable jig orsupport structure operable to support a pair of skis in exactcorresponding positions relative to a transverse reference line wherebythe aforementioned reference line may be utilized in positioning skibindings on the skis in exact corresponding positions prior tosecurement of the ski bindings on the skis.

Another object of this invention, in accordance with the immediatelypreceding object, is to provide a bench jig or clamp assemblyspecifically designed for support from any suitable support table orbench.

Still another object of this invention is to provide ajig in accordancewith the preceding objects and constructed in a manner whereby exactpredetermined indexing of skis of various lengths may be readilyaccomplished with a minimum of effort and the indexed skis may bereleasably rigidly retained in proper indexed positions relative to atransverse reference line.

A final object of this invention to be specifically enumerated herein isto provide a bench jig for skis in accordance with the preceding objectsand which will conform to conventional forms of manufacture, be ofsimple construction and easy to use so as to provide a device that willbe economically feasible, long lasting and relatively trouble free inoperation.

These together with other objects and advantages which will becomesubsequently apparent reside in the details of construction andoperation as more fully hereinafter described and claimed, referencebeing had to the accompanying drawings forming a part hereof, whereinlike numerals refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. I is a fragmentary perspective view of a conventional form ofworktable or bench upon which the jig or clamp assembly of the instantinvention has been mounted;

FIG. 2 is a fragmentary enlarged top plan view of the bench illustratedin FIG. 1 and in particular that longitudinal marginal edge portion ofthe bench to which the bench jig or clamp assembly is supported;

FIG. 3 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional viewtaken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 3-3 ofFIG. 2;

FIG. 4 is a fragmentary transverse vertical sectional view takensubstantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 4-4 of FIG.3;

FIG. 5 is an enlarged fragmentary vertical sectional view takensubstantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 55 of FIG. 2;and

FIG. 6 is an enlarged fragmentary transverse vertical sectional viewtaken substantially upon the plane indicated by the section line 6-6 ofFIG. 1.

Referring now more specifically to the drawings, the numeral 10generally designates a conventional form of worktable or bench includingfour corner legs 12 interconnected at their upper ends by means of ahorizontal rectangular top 14. The table 10 additionally includes anintermediate pair of legs 16 spaced apart and between the legs 12disposed at opposite ends of the forward marginal edge portion 18 of thetop 14. If the worktable or bench 10 does not include the legs 16, thelatter may be added to the conventional workbench or table 10 in orderto provide additional bracing for the bench jig of the instant inventionreferred to in general by the reference numeral 20. The jig 20 includesan L-shaped mounting plate 22 secured over the front marginal edge ofthe top 14 and the front marginal edge portion of the upper surface ofthe top 14 means of suitable fasteners 23. The mounting plate includes apair of longitudinally spaced intermediate lateral extensions 24 of itsupper flange portion 26 and the rear ends of a pair of laterally spacedand generally parallel horizontal support arms 28 are secured inoverlying relation to the extensions 24 in any convenient manner withthe front ends of the support arms 28 projecting forwardly of thevertical flange portion 30 of the mounting plate 22.

As will be seen from FIG. 4 of the drawings, the support arms 28 areshallow channel shaped in cross section and include longitudinal slots32. Further, each of the support arms 28 includes a pair of upstandingtransverse stationary abutment flanges 34 and 36. The flanges 34 arelongitudinally aligned as are the flanges 36 and each of the supportarms 28 further includes a pair of laterally shiftable upstanding andtransversely extending clamp jaws or flanges 38 and 40. The flanges 38and 40 include follower portions 42 guidingly engaged in thecorresponding channels defined by the support arms 28 and also dependingarm portions 44 carried by the follower portions 42 and slidinglyreceived in and projecting downwardly through the corresponding slot 32.

Each of the support arms 28 includes a pair of depending brace arms 46whose upper ends are secured to the support arms 28 by means of suitablefasteners 48 and a guide tube or sleeve 50 is secured between the lowerends of each pair of brace arms 46. A follower 52 is slidingly receivedin the upper end of each guide tube or sleeve 50 and a pair ofconnecting links 54 have one pair of corresponding ends thereof securedto each follower 52 and the other pair of corresponding ends thereofpivotally secured to the corresponding arm portions 44 whereby downwardmovement of each follower in its as sociated guide tube or sleeve 50will cause the corresponding flanges 38 and 40 to move toward each otherand away from the associated flanges 34 and 36 and upward movement ofeach follower 52 will cause the corresponding flanges 38 and 40 to moveaway from each other and toward the opposing flanges 34 and 36,respectively.

The lower end of each guide tube or sleeve 50 includes an aperturedlower end wall 56 upwardly through which an actuating rod 58 extends andthe upper end of each actuating rod 58 is threaded in a blind bore 60formed in the lower end of the associated follower 52. In addition, eachof the guide tubes or sleeves 50 has a compression spring 62 disposedtherein about the actuating rod 58 and between the correspondingfollower 52 and its apertured lower end wall 56.

A pair ofjoumal brackets 64 are secured to the lower ends of the legs 16by means of fasteners 66 and the journal brackets 64 include journalportions 68 which journal the opposite ends of an operating shaft 70having a pair of crank arms 72 mounted thereon. The outer ends of thecrank arms 72 are pivotally secured, as by fasteners 74, to the lowerends of the actuating rods 58 and the center of the operating shaft 70includes a generally radially outwardly extending foot pedal 76 whichmay be depressed against the biasing action of the spring 62 so as topull the followers 52 downwardly and shift the flanges 38 and 40 awayfrom the corresponding flanges 34 and 36. However, release of the footpedal or lever 76 will allow the biasing action of the springs 62 tourge the followers 52 upwardly and to thus shift the flanges 38 and 40away from each other and toward the flanges 34 and 36.

The opposite ends of the mounting plate 22 each includes a pair oflongitudinally spaced horizontally outwardly projecting support arms 80and a pair of slotted sleeve guides 82 are supported from the pairs ofsupport arms 80. The remote ends of the guide sleeves or sleeve guides82 include pulley wheels 84 and each sleeve guide 82 has a tubularcylindrical follower 86 slidingly disposed therein. Each follower 86includes an upstanding flange portion 88 which projects through the slot90 formed in each sleeve guide 82 and the flanges 88 have transverseabutment flange 92 and 93 secured to the portion thereof which projectsabove the sleeve guide 82.

A winding member 94 is journaled from a mount 96 secured to the mountingplate 22 intermediate the support arms 28 by means of suitable fasteners98 and the winding member 94 includes a handwheel 100 which may berotated in order to rotate the winding member 94. A pair of elongatedflexible tension members 102 have their midportions turned several timesabout the winding member 94 and their opposite end portions secured toopposite ends of the followers 86 with one end portion of each tensionmember 102 being trained over the corresponding pulley wheel 84.Accordingly, rotation of the winding wheel 100 in one direction willcause the abutment flanges 92 to move away from each other whilerotation of the winding member 94 in the other direction will cause theabutment flanges 92 to move toward each other.

Finally, an elevated support shaft 106 is secured between the rear endsof the support arms 28 and has a generally radially outwardly extendingindexing arm 108 mounted thereon including a beveled edge 110, see FIG.2, as well as a springmounted detent pin 112. The upper horizontalflange portion 26 of the mounting plate 22 includes an opening 114, seeFIG. 5, in which the spring-urged indexing pin 112 is receivable. Thebase end of the positioning arm 108 is rotatably and slidably mounted onthe rod or shaft 106. However, when the free end of the arm 108 is swungoutwardly of the forward marginal edge portion of the top 14, apredetermined position of the arm 108 along the rod or shaft 106 may beachieved by the seating of the lower end of the indexing pin 112 in theopening or bore 1 14.

In operation, a pair of matched skis of any given length are placed uponthe support arms 28 between the flanges 34 and 38 and the flanges 36 and40 after the foot pedal 76 has been depressed and the winding member 94has been rotated in a direction shifting the abutment flanges 92 awayfrom each other. Then, with the foot pedal 76 still depressed, thewinding member is rotated so as to move the abutment flanges 92 towardeach other whereby the opposite ends of the skis supported from thesupport arms 28 will be abutted by the abutment flanges 92 and the skissuch as the skis 116 and 118 illustrated in FIGS. 2, 3 and 5 of thedrawings will be shifted to the proper longitudinally shifted indexedpositions so as to have their longitudinal center points inpredetermined position relative to the bore 114 and thus the bevelededge 110 of the arm 108 when the latter is in the positions illustratedin FIGS. 2 and 5 of the drawings. Then, the foot pedal 76 is releasedwhereupon the followers 52 will be pushed upwardly by the springs 62 andthe flanges 38 and 40 will move toward the flanges 34 and 36 to thusclamp the opposite side edge portions of the skis 116 and 118therebetween and automatically position the skis in exact parallelrelation paralleling the mounting plate 22. Thereafter, the arm 108,which until this time has been in the position thereof illustrated inFIG. 1 of the drawings, may be swung to the positions thereofillustrated in FIGS. 2 and 5 of the drawings and the beveled edge 110may be utilized as a guide for making any necessary markings on the skis116 and 118 for securing ski bindings thereon in exact correspondingpositions.

The foregoing is considered as illustrative only of the principles ofthe invention. Further, since numerous modifications and changes willreadily occur to those skilled in the art, it is not desired to limitthe invention to the exact construction and operation shown anddescribed, and accordingly all suitable modifications and equivalentsmay be resorted to, falling within the scope of the invention asclaimed.

lclaim:

1. In combination, a support defining a longitudinal centerline andincluding portions for supporting a pair of skis thereon with the skisonly generally paralleling said centerline and transversely registeredposition relative to each other and spaced on opposite sides of saidcenterline, said support including longitudinal shift means operative toengage the opposite ends of said skis and longitudinally shift thelatter relative to each other and said support into exact transverseregistry and with the skis shifted along said centerline into positioncentered relative to a predetermined line disposed normal to saidcenterline and extending between said skis.

2. In combination, a support defining a longitudinal centerline andincluding portions for supporting a pair of skis thereon with the skisonly generally paralleling said centerline and transversely registeredposition relative to each other and spaced on opposite sides of saidcenterline, said support including lateral shift means operative toengage the opposite sides of each of said skis at each of a plurality oflocations spaced longitudinally thereof and shift said skis laterallyrelative to each other and said support into exact parallel relationequally spaced to opposite sides of said centerline.

3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said support means furtherincludes means operative to engage the longitudinal shift meansoperative to engage the opposite ends of said skis and longitudinallyshift the latter relative to each other and said support into exacttransverse registry and with the skis shifted along said centerline intoposition centered relative to a predetermined line disposed normal tosaid centerline and extending between said skis.

4. The combination of claim I wherein said longitudinal shift meansincludes a pair of generally parallel abutment members mounted on saidsupport at points spaced along said centerline and interconnected forsimultaneous and equal inverse movement along said centerline andincluding opposing upstanding opposing faces for engagement with the tipand rear ends of said skis. I

5. The combination of claim 2 wherein said lateral shift means includespairs of first stationary abutment elements spaced along said centerlinewith the elements of each pair disposed on opposite sides of thecenterline and against which said skis may be laterally abutted, saidlateral shift means also including pairs of second abutment elementsspaced along said centerline, opposing the first elements and mounted onsaid support for shifting laterally of said centerline toward and awayfrom the opposing first elements, and means associated with said secondelements operative to simultaneously shift said second elements towardthe opposing first elements.

6. The combination of claim 5 wherein said longitudinal shift meansincludes a pair of generally parallel abutment members mounted on saidsupport at points spaced along said centerline and interconnected forsimultaneous and equal inverse movement along said centerline andincluding opposing upstanding opposing faces for engagement with the tipand rear ends of said skis.

7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said support means comprise a pairof generally parallel horizontal support arms between and generallynormal to which said centerline extends.

8. The combination of claim 7 including lateral shift means operative toengage the opposite sides of each. of said skis at each of a pluralityof locations spaced longitudinally thereof and shift said skis laterallyrelative to each other and said support into exact parallel relationequally spaced to opposite sides of said centerline, said lateral shiftmeans including pairs of first stationary abutment elements spaced alongsaid centerline with the elements of each pair disposed on oppositesides of the centerline and against which said skis may be laterallyabutted, said lateral shift means also including pairs of secondabutment elements spaced along said centerline, opposing the firstelements and mounted on said support for shifting laterally of saidcenterline toward and away from the opposing first elements, and meansassociated with said second elements operative to simultaneously shiftsaid second elements toward the opposing first elements.

9. The combination of claim 8 wherein said second abutment elements aremounted on said arms for shifting therealong.

10. The combination of claim 9 wherein said stationary abutment elementsbeing stationarily supported from said arms.

1 l. The combination of claim 2 including a positioning arm supported atone end from said support for swinging through a plane normal to saidcenterline and between a first position swung away from said centerlineand a second position crossing said centerline a spaced distance abovethe latter for closely overlying the upper surfaces of said skis afterthey have been positioned by said longitudinal and lateral shift means.

12. The combination of claim 2 wherein said lateral shift means includesmeans for clampingly retaining said skis in adjusted shifted position.

1. In combination, a support defining a longitudinal centerline andincluding portions for supporting a pair of skis thereon with the skisonly generally paralleling said centerline and transversely registeredposition relative to each other and spaced on opposite sides of saidcenterline, said support including longitudinal shift means operative toengage the opposite ends of said skis and longitudinally shift thelatter relative to each other and said support into exact transverseregistry and with the skis shifted along said centerline into positioncentered relative to a predetermined line disposed normal to saidcenterline and extending between said skis.
 2. In combination, a supportdefining a longitudinal centerline and including portions for supportinga pair of skis thereon with the skis only generally paralleling saidcenterline and transversely registered position relative to each otherand spaced on opposite sides of said centerline, said support includinglateral shift means operative to engage the opposite sides of each ofsaid skis at each of a plurality of locations spaced longitudinallythereof and shift said skis laterally relative to each other and saidsupport into exact parallel relation equally spaced to opposite sides ofsaid centerline.
 3. The combination of claim 2 wherein said supportmeans further includes means operative to engage the longitudinal shiftmeans operative to engage the opposite ends of said skis andlongitudinally shift the latter relative to each other and said supportinto exact transverse registry and with the skis shifted along saidcenterline into position centered relative to a predetermined linedisposed normal to said centerline and extending between said skis. 4.The combination of claim 1 wherein said longitudinal shift meansincludes a pair of generally parallel abutment members mounted on saidsupport at points spaced along said centerline and interconnected forsimultaneous and equal inverse movement along said centerline andincluding opposing upstanding opposing faces for engagement with the tipand rear ends of said skis.
 5. The combination of claim 2 wherein saidlateral shift means includes pairs of first stationary abutment elementsspaced along said centerline with thE elements of each pair disposed onopposite sides of the centerline and against which said skis may belaterally abutted, said lateral shift means also including pairs ofsecond abutment elements spaced along said centerline, opposing thefirst elements and mounted on said support for shifting laterally ofsaid centerline toward and away from the opposing first elements, andmeans associated with said second elements operative to simultaneouslyshift said second elements toward the opposing first elements.
 6. Thecombination of claim 5 wherein said longitudinal shift means includes apair of generally parallel abutment members mounted on said support atpoints spaced along said centerline and interconnected for simultaneousand equal inverse movement along said centerline and including opposingupstanding opposing faces for engagement with the tip and rear ends ofsaid skis.
 7. The combination of claim 1 wherein said support meanscomprise a pair of generally parallel horizontal support arms betweenand generally normal to which said centerline extends.
 8. Thecombination of claim 7 including lateral shift means operative to engagethe opposite sides of each of said skis at each of a plurality oflocations spaced longitudinally thereof and shift said skis laterallyrelative to each other and said support into exact parallel relationequally spaced to opposite sides of said centerline, said lateral shiftmeans including pairs of first stationary abutment elements spaced alongsaid centerline with the elements of each pair disposed on oppositesides of the centerline and against which said skis may be laterallyabutted, said lateral shift means also including pairs of secondabutment elements spaced along said centerline, opposing the firstelements and mounted on said support for shifting laterally of saidcenterline toward and away from the opposing first elements, and meansassociated with said second elements operative to simultaneously shiftsaid second elements toward the opposing first elements.
 9. Thecombination of claim 8 wherein said second abutment elements are mountedon said arms for shifting therealong.
 10. The combination of claim 9wherein said stationary abutment elements being stationarily supportedfrom said arms.
 11. The combination of claim 2 including a positioningarm supported at one end from said support for swinging through a planenormal to said centerline and between a first position swung away fromsaid centerline and a second position crossing said centerline a spaceddistance above the latter for closely overlying the upper surfaces ofsaid skis after they have been positioned by said longitudinal andlateral shift means.
 12. The combination of claim 2 wherein said lateralshift means includes means for clampingly retaining said skis inadjusted shifted position.